Lachie Schultz

Lachlan Schultz (born 30 November 1997) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Fremantle Football Club from 2019–2023.

Early career
Schultz was born and raised in Moama, New South Wales. He played junior football for Moama Magpies in the Murray Football League before transferring to the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup. Following high school graduation, he moved to Melbourne and played 37 games for Williamstown in the VFL over the next two seasons. He was drafted to Fremantle with the 57th selection in the 2018 national draft after being voted one of the better players in the VFL.

AFL career
Schultz made his AFL debut for Fremantle in the opening round of the 2019 AFL season. Schultz kicked the match winning goal for Fremantle against St Kilda in the 6th round of the 2020 AFL season.

At the end of 2021, Fremantle contracted Schultz for two more seasons with an option for a third after Hawthorn was tabling a three-year deal for him to move to Victoria. The Hawks would have been able to snare Schultz as a free agent if he did not come to terms with the Dockers, given he was delisted last year and re-listed as a rookie.

Schultz played almost every game in 2022 kicking 30 goals in a career-best season. Schultz finished second in Fremantle’s leading goalkicker award behind former teammate Rory Lobb who kicked 38 goals for the season. During the year, Schultz was awarded the Glendinning–Allan Medal for his performance during the round three Western Derby, in which he collected 23 disposals and kicked two goals. Schultz was among Fremantle's best during round 17 against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, kicking two goals.

Schultz kicked a game high four goals in round 9 of the 2023 AFL season, during Fremantle's 17 point win over the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Schultz also kicked four goals during the Dockers' later clash against the Swans in round 19 at Optus Stadium. Schultz kicked two goals during round 20 in Fremantle's 7 point win over Geelong at Kardinia Park, the second of which put Fremantle in front in the dying stages of the fourth quarter. Schultz kicked a career high and game high 5 goals during the round 22 Western Derby. He was awarded his second Glendinning–Allan Medal for best on ground. Schultz signed a one-year contract extension during the 2023 season. On the first day of the 2023 AFL trade period, Schultz requested a trade to Collingwood, and was traded on 16 October.

Statistics
Updated to the end of 2023.

! colspan=3 | Career ! 90 !! 101 !! 65 !! 707 !! 439 !! 1146 !! 343 !! 279 !! 1.1 !! 0.7 !! 7.8 !! 4.9 !! 12.7 !! 3.8 !! 3.1 !! 12
 * 2019 || || 28
 * 7 || 4 || 3 || 46 || 36 || 82 || 15 || 17 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 6.6 || 5.1 || 11.7 || 2.1 || 2.4 || 0
 * 2020 || || 28
 * 17 || 12 || 7 || 109 || 60 || 169 || 61 || 43 || 0.7 || 0.4 || 6.4 || 3.5 || 9.9 || 3.6 || 2.5 || 0
 * 2021 || || 28
 * 20 || 22 || 17 || 148 || 72 || 220 || 80 || 54 || 1.1 || 0.9 || 7.4 || 3.6 || 11.0 || 4.0 || 2.7 || 0
 * 2022 || || 5
 * 23 || 30 || 19 || 196 || 114 || 310 || 93 || 69 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 8.5 || 5.0 || 13.5 || 4.0 || 3.0 || 6
 * 2023 || || 5
 * 23 || 33 || 19 || 208 || 157 || 365 || 100 || 95 || 1.4 || 0.8 || 9.0 || 6.8 || 15.8 || 4.3 || 4.1 || 6
 * - class=sortbottom
 * 23 || 30 || 19 || 196 || 114 || 310 || 93 || 69 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 8.5 || 5.0 || 13.5 || 4.0 || 3.0 || 6
 * 2023 || || 5
 * 23 || 33 || 19 || 208 || 157 || 365 || 100 || 95 || 1.4 || 0.8 || 9.0 || 6.8 || 15.8 || 4.3 || 4.1 || 6
 * - class=sortbottom
 * - class=sortbottom
 * }

Notes

Honours and achievements
Individual
 * Glendinning–Allan Medal: 2022 (round 3), 2023 (round 22)